Sunday, February 18, 2018

I love hot chocolate and always enjoy trying a new recipe. Typically I make my hot chocolate with chopped chocolate but that is a little time consuming. So when I saw a recipe for a homemade mix in the February edition of Real Simple I thought I would try it out.

The recipe is simple, easy and delicious.

Hot Cocoa Mix

From Real Simple Magazine February 2018

21/2 cups instant no-fat dry milk

2 cups confectioners sugar

11/2 cups unsweetened cocoa

1 Tbsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

Sift all of the ingredients together into a large bowl.

To make a cup of cocoa: Place 1/4 cup of cocoa mix into a cup. Heat 1 cup of milk to a simmer. Pour 1/4 of hot milk over cocoa mix, stir until combined and smooth, then stir in the rest of the milk.

Today I decided to make espresso hot chocolate for those that love chocolate and coffee.

Espresso Hot Chocolate

3 cups whole milk

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped

3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

pinch of salt

1/2 cup of espresso

Bring milk to a simmer, then add the sugar, salt and the chopped chocolate, whisk until smooth and creamy and the chocolate is melted. Add espresso and stir to combine. Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Christmas is just 4 days away, can you believe it? Every time I think I am ready I think of something else that I want to do or make. I have to stop and just enjoy what is left of the season.

I want to make a quick and easy dessert to give to a few friends and I decided to make the easiest tart ever. It is basically a Peppermint Oreo cookie crust with a ganache filling and then is topped with either crushed candy canes or peppermint bark.

In a blender or food processor pulse the cookies until you have fine crumbs. Pour into a bowl and add the melted butter. Mix well, then pour into a 9" tart pan and press up the sides and into the middle. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Place the chopped chocolate into a medium heat proof bowl. In a saucepan heat the milk and the butter to a low boil. Pour over the chocolate and let sit for a few minutes. Whisk until smooth and creamy, pour over the prepared crust.

You can leave it like this or add a garnish of chopped candy canes or chopped peppermint bark. Place tart into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Christmas is just a couple of weeks way and winter seems to have finally arrives. For some this week snow arrived for the first time in years. Personally I love snow and if I lived somewhere that only saw snow once every few years I would be out jumping for joy.

Snow or not, a cold winter day calls for a nice big mug of hot chocolate. Not just any hot chocolate but a steamy cup of nutty Nutella hot chocolate. Add a spoon or two of whipping cream, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings and you have the perfect drink!

In a saucepan combine the Nutella, chocolate and 1/2 cup of the milk over low-medium heat, mix well. Once mixed slowly add the rest of the milk. Once hot, add the salt and vanilla. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipping cream and chocolate shavings.

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